In the countdown to the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears find themselves at a crucial crossroad with the ninth overall pick. With the trade of Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, it is widely expected that the Bears will use the Number One overall pick on quarterback Caleb Williams from USC. However, the question remains: what will they do with the ninth pick?

Many fans and mock drafts have speculated that the Bears will select wide receiver Rome Odunze from the University of Washington. However, the unpredictable nature of drafts means that surprises are always in store. The Bears' draft board and their evaluation of players will heavily influence their decision.

The consensus top three wide receivers in this draft class are Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State, Malik Nabers from LSU, and Odunze. Contrary to popular belief, Harrison is not the unanimous top receiver in the draft. Draft analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Dane Brugler have indicated that some teams rank Nabers as the top receiver. Ultimately, it is the ranking on the Bears' draft board that matters.

The likelihood of Odunze falling to the Bears at the ninth pick is slim. Other teams with receiver needs could potentially trade up ahead of the Bears to secure their desired player. Additionally, the Bears' draft board may prioritize other positions, such as an edge pass rusher.

Head Coach Matt Eberflus and General Manager Ryan Poles have repeatedly expressed the importance of bolstering their pass rush. Currently, the Bears have only one premium pass rusher, Montez Sweat, under contract. They opted not to sign a veteran edge rusher in free agency due to high prices. Consequently, acquiring a quality pass rusher in the draft becomes paramount for the Bears.

However, the edge class in this year's draft is relatively thin. There are only four high-quality pass rushers available in the first round, including Alabama's Dallas Turner, UCLA's Laiatu Latu, Florida State's Jared Verse, and Penn State's Chop Robinson. After these players, the talent level drops significantly. It becomes a dilemma for the Bears: should they prioritize an edge or a higher-rated wide receiver?

Complicating matters further, the Bears do not possess a second-round pick as of now. If they decide to bypass an edge rusher in the first round, they will not have another pick until the third round. The chances of landing a top-tier edge rusher at that stage are slim. Conversely, the wide receiver class is deep, and the Bears could select a quality receiver in the third round, potentially one they have given a second-round grade.

Another option for the Bears is to trade down from the ninth pick in order to accumulate additional draft picks. Ideally, they would drop down far enough to secure a second-round pick, which they currently do not possess. However, such a trade would risk losing out on one of the top pass rushers. A more realistic scenario would be to drop four or five slots and obtain another third-round pick. This would provide the Bears with two third-round choices and flexibility to maneuver back into the second round if desired. A pick in the 2025 draft may need to be sacrificed to make such a trade possible.

The Bears' decision on whether to choose an edge rusher or a wide receiver with the ninth pick will not be known until the draft on April 25th. Even if they decide to trade down and potentially trade back up into the second round, the answer will only be revealed on April 26th. As fans eagerly await the outcome, it is worth noting that the Bears could still alter their plans if they sign one or two free-agent wide receivers before the draft.

Among the available wide receivers, Josh Reynolds, Quez Watkins, and Mecole Hardman have connections to the Bears' coaching staff or personnel department. Reynolds, who played for the Rams and Lions, was coached by the Bears' offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Watkins, formerly with the Eagles, was familiar to Bears Assistant General Manager Ian Cunningham during their time in Philadelphia. Hardman, recently with the Jets and Chiefs, was a quality receiver before a decline in performance last year. Bears' Ryan Poles has insight into Hardman's situation.

Ultimately, if the Bears do sign veteran wide receivers, it appears increasingly likely that their ninth pick or subsequent pick after a modest trade-down will be directed towards an edge pass rusher. With five weeks remaining until the draft, all eyes will be on the Bears as they navigate this crucial decision-making process.